ACTFL Introduces Larry Paska as New Executive Director
Washington, D.C. (October 21, 2024) – ACTFL has appointed Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Paska as its new Executive Director. His tenure begins October 21, 2024.
Paska brings impressive experience as an educational leader and association executive to ACTFL. He joins the organization from the National Council for the Social Studies, where he served as Executive Director for eight years. Paska’s previous roles include leadership positions throughout the state of New York, such as Director of Professional Development at the Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Director of Social Studies at Harrison Central School District, and Coordinator of Technology Policy at the New York State Education Department. He started his career in the classroom as a K-12 social studies teacher, and has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Paska earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Union College, a Master of Arts in Teaching in Social Studies from Union Graduate College, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University at Albany. He is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).
He is an active volunteer, and currently serves as Treasurer of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and Co-Chair of the National Coalition for History’s Executive Committee. Paska has received multiple honors throughout his career, including the Distinguished Service Award from the New York State Council for the Social Studies.
About ACTFL
We are a membership community of language education professionals passionate about expanding cultural richness and diversity at all levels of education. Together we provide resources to address challenges to meet the changing needs of language educators and their learners.
ACTFL’s innovative quality research, standards, assessments, professional development, and publications empower us to advance the practice of language learning. The influence of our work cascades through society one learner at a time.
For more information, please visit www.actfl.org.
About Sterling Martin Associates
Sterling Martin Associates (SMA) is a leading specialty national search firm conducting chief executive-level searches for associations and nonprofit organizations. SMA has built an outstanding reputation by providing impeccable service to its clients and by placing exceptional talent in associations and nonprofits. Based primarily in Washington, DC, SMA has offices in New York, Chicago, and Orange County, CA.
Since founding the firm in 2006 with a mission to combine his search expertise with nonprofit board experience, David Martin now leads a highly experienced and diverse team, combining in-depth client analysis with the latest search technologies to create effective, personalized searches. Since the day he founded the firm, David has personally taken a leadership role with every search, for every client.
